Anthony Geary is saying goodbye to General Hospital after almost 40 years on the soap opera.

Though his final episode won’t air until later this summer, the 68-year-old actor, who has played Luke Spencer since 1978, recently filmed his last scene with the show and spoke with Entertainment Weeklyabout his departure.

“I’m excited to raise the curtain on act 3, to reinvent myself in my new home to pursue whatever opportunity there may be. It’s an exciting prospect to me,” the eight-time Emmy winner told the magazine. “They’ve done a wonderful job of wrapping up the character. So this seems like the ideal time to go.”